Robbo149

Hi all, I'm wanting to lower my '93 VR6 approx 30-40mm, not too much, and am looking for some cheap springs with a good ride (not too hard!), something to tide me over til I can afford coilovers! Anybody got any recommendations? Anyone tried GSF's new line? Cheers, Robbo

OK, now you've all had a good laugh at my last photo, here's a more recent one. This is me & mini-me in Majorca last year... Where did all that hair go?!!

Here's me & the wife about 20 years ago!!! I've got a bit less hair now! btw, I'm the one with the blonde hair (not natural!) Cheers, Robbo

I think it's too late to prevent the hairloss for me! I know what you mean though, I was all set for bidding on a new engine on Ebay! It's spending too much time on this forum that does it :wink: , makes you think your car must have everything wrong with it that everyone elses has... let's call it "automotive hypochondria" Robbo

Me again!... got my car back last night from local garage after good check over. My friendly mechanic slapped my hysterical girlie face (not literally!), & told me to stop being so pessimistic! He pulled all the plugs & reckoned they weren't oily at all, just old & tired! So put some nice new NGKs in, told me compression seemed fine, checked the emissions - ok. Top end is a bit rattly (which I knew), probably tappets, so he put in some tappet cleaner to run through for a couple of hundred miles & see if it quietens down. I suspect I still could do with a head rebuild though, as It's using approx 1 litre of oil per 1000 miles. But at least the bottom end seems ok! (sigh of relief!). Oh, and my exhaust's knackered (joy!) Cheers, Robbo

Thanks for the swift responses Kev, you're a star! I'm sat here at work with my brain mulling over how many £K I'm gonna have to spend! I don't know whether the other plugs are fouled, as I haven't had chance to check them yet, saw no.1 & my heart sank! When you say compression & leakdown test, do you mean on the block? is this straightforward to get done without stripping the engine down? I hate the not knowing anything for certain!... you never know... maybe I'm being overly pessimistic!... (nah, my luck never works that way!!!) Cheers, Robbo

Oh bugger!!!... that's not what I wanted to hear Kev. I don't really want to think about a knackered block! The car seems to run fine (apart from the oil consumption & a bit of exhaust popping), doesn't seem to be down on power & I never get any smoking... If it does turn out to be the bores & not the head should i just live with it? or is it going to go bye byes one day? Wouldn't leaking valve stem seals also cause oily plugs? Sorry so many questions but I'm getting desperate! Cheers, Robbo

Ok, things could be getting worse... I had a quick look at plug #1 today & it was oiled up! guess that explains where my oil's going! I didn't check the others as they're not so easy to get at, & I believe 1 & 6 are the ones to check anyway. I've never had any smoke coming out the back so does this make things better or worse?! Am I looking at a full head rebuild then? Btw, the plugs that are in are Beru 4 electrode jobbies - are these OE or just cheapo replacements? Please reassure me guys! Robbo

Gave mine a good wash & polish (perfect polishing weather in West Yorks yesterday - dull but dry). Put my new 17" Audi TT rims on, (see gallery... yeah, i know... it needs lowering!). Robbo

Yeah, yeah, yeah... I know it needs dropping. I'm not rushing into it though coz I don't want to f*%k up the ride completely! Plus with the offset of these wheels they come right out to fill the arches (this probably makes it look even higher!), so if I lower it too much they're gonna catch. Looks well phat from the rear though! Anyone got any spring recommendations which will give a decent ride? Jedi, I bought the wheels off good ol' Ebay with 225/45's on. The tyres were bald anyway, so I got the wheels dirt cheap! After a refurb & the new 205/40's it's cost me about £450 in total. Just need some VW centre badges now! Cheers, Robbo

Could be camshaft position sensor (hall sender). Mine used to stutter a bit when warmed up & a diagnostic check confirmed the cps. It'll be well down on power too if it is. A new one is about £30 from VW, fitting is a piece of p! hth, Robbo

Here's a few pics of my '93 black VR6 after a good days fettling! also wearing new wheels - 17" 225 Audi TT alloys with 205/40 rubber. I think they really suit the Corrado, what do you guys think? Other minor mods since I bought her 6 months ago - smoked side repeaters, black VW roundels, later style chrome VR6 badges. Still to come - Powerflow custom stainless zorst, M3 rear lights, suspension maybe?! Cheers, Robbo

Phat, it's a definite ticking noise & it's coming from the left of the engine (opposite end to cam chains). I just wondered if maybe worn tappets would cause the valves not to open & close as they should, hence overfuelling. Cheers, Robbo

Nice 8) ! What sort of bhp/torque increase would a head job & cams give? does the ECU need remapping? Anyone got any thoughts on the worn tappets = overfuelling question ? Cheers, Robbo

Keep us posted Phat, I'm sure there would be plenty of interest. I'd definitely fancy a nice new flowed & ported head with a pair of Schrick cams! What sort of wonga would you be looking at? Robbo

Yes I'll have mine done too, pleeeese Phat! I was anticipating a bill of around a grand for a complete head rebuild. Robbo

Hi all VR6 experts, I'm posting this as I'm trying to tie together a few minor issues to see if any are related & what to do about them. I have a couple of probs with my 100k VR which in general seems to run pretty well - The exhaust pops a lot when the engine's warmed up, the tailpipe is also pretty sooty, both of which I understand indicate overfuelling. The tappets are also pretty noisy all the time, even with fresh oil. So, first question: Could worn tappets cause overfuelling? It also seems to be using a lot of oil but there are no leaks & no smoke from the rear end, does this indicate worn valve stem oil seals? I'm planning on having the tappets replaced before too long & would like your opinions on whether it would be worthwhile going the whole hog & having a head rebuild (inc. tappets, valve stem oil seals, timing chains & tensioners etc) for peace of mind? Sorry it's such a long query, but I'm trying to decide what to do based on not much knowledge! Oh btw, if it helps, a recent diagnostic check showed no fault codes at all. Cheers all, Robbo

I've been with Direct Line for ages & as Jims16v says they are great on standard cars (which mine is at the mo, more or less!), I only pay about £430 fully comp for my VR, but try adding any mods & they'll spank you good & proper! My previous car was a 2.6 Audi coupe which I put 17" split rims on - told DL & they bumped my premium up by nearly 20%!!!... just for alloys. I shopped around a bit & Churchill would allow me limited mods at no extra cost (not sure how far they'd let you go though) Cheers, Robbo

Ooopps!!!... quick update, had a listen to the engine close up as you suggested Kev, & it turns out the tapping is coming from the opposite side than I originally thought (the serpentine belt end, LHS), no noticable noise from the timing chain end after all! Is this then, likely to be the belt tensioner on it's way out or is it just my noisy tappets? (which are very noisy btw & due to be replaced before too long). Cheers, Robbo

Apologies for reviving an old thread, but I thought I'd have a root around before posting a new one. My VR has a constant timing chain rattle, not overly loud, but starting to get a bit worrying, (101k btw). Is it just a case of getting both tensioners replaced or should the chains be changed too? How big a job is it (I'm thinking in terms of garage labour time). Is there anything else worth checking out at the same time, while the engine's in bits? Cheers, Robbo

Aint it amazin that such a subtle mod can make the car look soooo much newer?!! Cheers Henny. Robbo

Cheers for the pic Tattie, as mine's a black C too, it's good to see them on. Just convinces me even more I have to get some! Cheers, Robbo

I think there's also some discrepancies in InPro's product quality too. I had some smoked InPros on one of my Mk2's and they fit perfectly, but I got some clear ones for my Civic VTi (4 piece a la Corrado) & they were a nightmare to fit, loads of drilling & filing. Not had any personal experience with FK's, they just seem to be cheaper (which is nice!). Robbo

Popping update - been monitoring a bit more closely since yesterday & I'm rethinking the 'burble', it is definitely more of a popping. It's fine when cold - no popping at all, it only does it when the engine's fully warmed up & also only does it with a slight blip of the throttle, if I rev it up to like 3k & then back off it doesn't seem to do it. Any more ideas? Just worrying a bit cos I don't want to knack the cat (unless it's already Knacked of course!!!). Cheers, Robbo

I do try to get out for a good thrash at the weekends (ooeer!!!). Did about 300 miles last Sunday & it was still popping all the while. It's not loud like a backfire, it's more of a burble really. I guess I worry too much, but I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to cars, as I'm sure you guys are. Why put up with your car only been 99% healthy, when spending another grand will make it perfect?!!! (as if!) Cheers, Robbo